Harry Reid: Obama Should be "More Firm" With GOP

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in an interview with a Las Vegas television station that President Obama has at times been insufficiently forceful in his dealings with the Republican party.

"On a few occasions, I think he should have been more firm with those on the other side of the aisle," the Demotic Nevada senator told KSNV. "He is a person who doesn't like confrontation. He's a peacemaker. And sometimes I think you have to be a little more forceful. And sometimes I don't think he is."

The White House declined to comment on Reid's statements.

Reid pointed to the health care fight to back up his argument, saying there were times "when I wanted the folks in the White House behind me."

President Obama campaigned for Reid last week, raising $800,000 for his campaign. The senator is in a tough primary fight against Tea Party-aligned Republican Sharron Angle, who has cast Reid as more concerned with Washington dealmaking than his own constituents.